Colorado DMV Guide: Permit, License, and Road Test
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Getting your Colorado instruction permit is a clear, step-by-step process once you understand the requirements. This guide walks you through the age rules, the documents you need, the knowledge test, and what happens after, all handled through the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
Requirements and fees can change, so use this as a general guide and confirm the current details with your local Colorado DMV office before you go. Making an appointment where one is offered, and arriving with original documents plus any required education certificate, is the easiest way to keep your visit short and get your permit the same day.
15
Permit age
25
Test questions
20 (80%)
To pass
$19 (REAL ID) or $21.50 (standard)
Permit fee
Step by step: getting your Colorado permit
Step 1: Confirm you meet the age requirement
In Colorado you can generally apply for an instruction permit at age 15. Applicants under 18 usually must have a parent or guardian sign and consent, and younger applicants may need to complete a driver education course or a driver awareness program first. Confirming which path applies to your age before you go saves a wasted trip to the office.
Step 2: Gather your documents
Bring documents that prove your identity, your Social Security number, and that you live in Colorado. Make sure names match across documents so your application is not delayed.
- Proof of identity, such as a birth certificate or passport
- Proof of your Social Security number
- Proof of Colorado residency
- Parent or guardian consent if you are under 18
Step 3: Complete any required driver education
Depending on your age, Colorado may require a driver education course or a driver awareness program before you can take the knowledge test. Younger applicants generally face the fuller education requirement, while older applicants may have a lighter one. Check which requirement applies to you before scheduling so you are not turned away.
Step 4: Pass the knowledge test
Take the 25-question written test and score at least 80 percent, which is 20 correct, to pass. Practicing beforehand makes the format familiar so test day feels far less stressful.
Step 5: Complete the vision screening and pay the fee
You will take a quick vision screening and pay the permit fee. Once you pass, your instruction permit is generally issued promptly.
After you pass the knowledge test
With your Colorado permit you can practice driving while supervised by a qualified licensed adult seated next to you. Colorado uses a graduated licensing system, so plan on a holding period and a required log of supervised hours, including night and bad-weather driving, before you qualify for the road test. Keep a simple record of your practice so you can show you have met the requirement.
Tips for Colorado new drivers
Practice winter skills like gentle braking and steering on snow and ice in a safe, open area first. Learn to downshift on long downhill grades, follow traction and chain rules during mountain storms, keep your permit with you, and allow extra stopping distance whenever the road is wet or icy. Carry an emergency kit for high-country travel, watch for sudden weather shifts as you gain elevation, and get comfortable on Front Range highways before you take on steep mountain passes.
Colorado permit and test fees
$19 (REAL ID) or $21.50 (standard)
Instruction permit issuance, including motorcycle. The driving knowledge (written) test itself has no listed first-attempt fee at state offices.
Retest: $11.50 driving knowledge (written) retest fee (CRS 42-2-114(2)(e)); the driving skills (road test) retest is $15.40.
The $21.50 price applies to standard credentials issued under the Colorado Road and Community Safety Act. A duplicate permit costs $12.30.
Colorado permit restrictions and supervised driving
While you hold the permit
Supervised practice: 50 total hours of supervised driving logged, including 10 hours at night; drivers under 16 years and 6 months also complete 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training with an approved school
Hold period: Must hold the permit a full 12 months, or until the 18th birthday (whichever comes first), before a minor license
- Must be accompanied by a licensed driver 21 or older seated in the front passenger seat (valid Colorado license, or military ID plus valid out-of-state license)
- Driver education or awareness course required depending on age (30-hour course, or 4-hour awareness program for older applicants)
- Driving log must be signed by a parent, guardian, or other responsible adult
After you upgrade (provisional/intermediate)
- First 6 months of minor license: only passengers 21 or older may ride (medical emergency excepted)
- Second 6 months: one passenger under 21 allowed; after 1 year or age 18, more than one allowed
- First year: no driving between midnight and 5 a.m. (exceptions for a parent/guardian, school or work with a signed statement, or emergency)
- Driver and all passengers must wear seat belts at all times
Restriction details change. Confirm current rules with the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles.
Colorado road test requirements
A drive test of vehicle control and on-road skills required to upgrade to a minor license.
What to bring
- Instruction permit
- Completed and signed drive-time log (DR 2324)
- Required identification documents
Vehicle requirements
- A safe, properly registered vehicle for the drive test
Colorado driver handbook summary
Colorado DMV lays out first-time licensing by age band, detailing the driver education or awareness course, the 50-hour logged practice requirement, and behind-the-wheel training for younger applicants. The minor-license pages use clear charts to phase in passenger and curfew rules over the first year. The state's driver handbook and FAQ pages back the knowledge test and explain the staged restrictions.
Practice for the Colorado test
The fastest way to pass is to rehearse real test format. Our Colorado questions are balanced across the categories the DMV tests.
Find a DMV office in Colorado
Most permits are issued in person. Find your nearest DMV location before you go, and check whether you need an appointment.
Map results come from Google and may include third-party services. Always confirm the office location, hours, and whether an appointment is required on the official DMV website before visiting.
Official Colorado sources
Colorado licensing FAQ
How much does the Colorado permit cost?
$19 (REAL ID) or $21.50 (standard). Instruction permit issuance, including motorcycle. The driving knowledge (written) test itself has no listed first-attempt fee at state offices. The $21.50 price applies to standard credentials issued under the Colorado Road and Community Safety Act. A duplicate permit costs $12.30. See the full Colorado fee breakdown and official source on our permit cost page.
What score do I need to pass the Colorado written test?
The Colorado knowledge test has 25 questions and you must answer 20 correctly (80%) to pass.
How many supervised driving hours does Colorado require?
50 total hours of supervised driving logged, including 10 hours at night; drivers under 16 years and 6 months also complete 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training with an approved school. Confirm the current requirement and any logging rules with the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles.
How old do I have to be for a Colorado permit?
Generally age 15. Confirm the current rules with the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles.
What documents do I need?
Proof of identity, your Social Security number, proof of Colorado residency, and parental consent if you are under 18.
Do I have to take a test?
Yes. You take a 25-question written knowledge test and a vision screening, plus any required driver education for your age.
Is there a fee?
Yes, a permit fee applies. Check the current amount with your local Colorado DMV office.